Options for Small Vessel Heart Disease in Diabetics

Dr. Bimal Chhajer, health and lifestyle expert at The Science And Art Of Living (SAAOL)

If you are a diabetic, have been treated for coronary artery disease with angioplasty, stents or coronary artery bypass graft surgery and the signs and symptoms haven't gone away, you may be having diffuse small vessel disease. Small vessel or coronary microvascular disease is a condition in which small arteries in the heart that are not visible in angiograms become narrowed and cause signs and symptoms of heart disease such as angina chest pain. The large vessels in the heart can become narrowed or blocked through atherosclerosis, a condition in which fatty deposits build up in the arteries. In small vessel disease, the narrowing is in the heart’s small vessels due to which they can't expand properly when the patient is active resulting in inadequate supply of oxygen-rich blood. 

This inability to expand due to endothelial dysfunction may cause small vessels to actually become smaller when one is active or under emotional stress. The reduced blood flow through the small vessels causes angina or a heart attack and is usually diagnosed after a check for blockages in the main arteries of the heart show little or no narrowing in the large vessels but patient has angina symptoms. When small vessel disease is present along with large vessel disease, the condition may be suspected only when a patients has angina even after a successful angioplasty or bypass surgery.

Although anyone can have small vessel disease, it's more common in women and in people who have diabetes, are obese, smokers, have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, unhealthy diet and inactive lifestyle. Diabetics normally feel less pain and chances of painless myocardial infarction that may go unnoticed are more. Diffuse small vessel disease is more difficult to detect and less easily treatable and if left untreated can cause coronary artery spasm, heart attack, heart failure and sudden cardiac death. When in a symptomatic patient coronary angiogram does not show blockages in larger vessels, additional tests for smaller arteries narrowing such as Stress Thallium test imaging and Cardiovascular Cartography heart flow mapping may be of help.

Because the blocked or narrowed blood vessels that cause the disease are very small, angioplasty, stent and surgery are usually not helpful. Small vessel disease treatment involves medications to control the symptoms of narrowed small blood vessels such as Nitroglycerin, Nicorandil, Trimetazidine and Ranolazine. Beta blockers, Calcium channel blockers, Statins, Angiotensin-converting enzyme, Angiotensin II receptor blockers and Aspirin are often prescribed. Helpful dietary supplements are Coenzyme Q10 and L-arginine.

There has been some research on diabetic patients who have Coronary Artery Disease treated with External Counter Pulsation (ECP) therapy. ECP is an option for small vessel disease patients as it dilates the coronaries, opens dormant blood vessels and stimulates angiogenesis - thus should be more effective than stents and bypass in small vessel disease. An analysis of data from the International EECP Patient Registry concluded that “ECP is safe, well tolerated and associated with improvement in angina, functional status, and quality of life and that clinical benefit was maintained in most patients at one year” in diabetic patients. Many diabetics do not present for medical care until their heart disease has progressed due to small vessel disease, endothelial dysfunction and altered pain perception. ECP has been demonstrated to have a positive effect on endothelial function as well as in patient’s symptoms with small vessel disease. Patients with Coronary Artery Disease and diabetes often make excellent candidates for ECP Therapy since diabetic patients are at known increased risk for interventional complications.

ECP Therapy has been demonstrated to increase a patient’s cardiac output and perfusion to all the organs throughout the body, which would absolutely be beneficial in diabetic patients as diabetes is a multi-organ disease. It makes sense that diabetic patients improve with ECP since many of the positive benefits associated with ECP are similar to the benefits of physical exercise and research has demonstrated that physical exercise definitely helps diabetic patients. Though more research is needed it is believed that symptoms of diabetic neuropathy improve in patients who undergo ECP Therapy.

It is not unusual to see a drop of about 20mg/dL in blood sugar after completing of one hour of ECP. Reports from ECP centres suggest that patients who have undergone ECP not only have better control of their blood glucose levels but have also had their physician lower (or in some cases, completely eliminate) the dosage of diabetic medication needed to maintain an optimum blood sugar level; this is not surprising since the benefits of EECP have a similar systemic effect to that of physical exercise.

Another research reported EDTA Chelation Therapy to benefits with up to 50% prevention of recurrent heart attacks and 43 percent reduction in all causes death rate. Dr. Gervasio Lamas, principal investigator of the National Institute of Health (USA) sponsored Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy (TACT) presented results at the American Heart Association meeting in Los Angeles in 2012. The randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 1,708 patients in 134 medical centres across the U.S. and Canada by cardiologists from prestigious medical schools at a cost of $30 million. Statistical analysis showed intravenous chelation therapy decreased subsequent cardiac events when compared to a control group of similar patients who received placebo. There were fewer deaths, fewer heart attacks, and fewer strokes, less need for cardiovascular surgery, and fewer hospitalizations for heart problems. Chelation therapy was shown to be safe, without any serious side effects. Patients experienced increasing benefits during the five years they were studied up to. Diabetic patients appeared to do better than the non-diabetic patients. This could be due to micro circulation being affected more than macro circulation in diabetic patients.

While we wait or the last word on treatment of small vessel disease, the best option would be to look into ways of preventing small vessel disease - controlling the major risk factors of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity. Things than can be done that may help reduce risk include eating a heart-healthy diet with low saturated fat and cholesterol in the diet. Eating a heart-healthy diet that includes plenty of whole grains, lean meat, low-fat dairy, and fruits and vegetables. Also, watch the salt and fat intake as eating too much salt and saturated or trans fats may increase your blood pressure and cholesterol. Regular exercise, even 30 minutes a day, helps improve heart muscle function and keeps blood flowing through your arteries and prevent a heart attack by helping achieve and maintain a healthy weight and control diabetes, elevated cholesterol and high blood pressure. And last but not the least stop smoking or use of any other tobacco products totally.

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India Losing Fight against Cancer Due To Lack of Awareness

Talk to a random person in India and asking her about the precautions she takes to save herself from common cold or flu, and she is going to list out a series of measures from washing hands to boosting immunity. However, ask the same about preventing cancer and you are going to draw a blank.

Despite cancer being among the ten leading causes of deaths in India, it is still considered by many people as a remote disease that cannot strike them. Even those who are aware of its implications, do little in their daily lives to minimize the risks of contracting the disease.

As we observe the World Cancer Day, it is important to educate people about preventing cancer by cutting risk factors and leading a healthy life. A huge burden of cancer in India can be reduced if people are aware about risks and work systematically to minimize them in daily lives. Quitting tobacco and reducing alcohol intake are just two such measures that can go a long way to reduce your risk f suffering from cancer. Cancer monitoring and screening are other two measures that can radically boost chances of survival, and reduce cancer related deaths.

“Undoubtedly there is massive void of awareness, even among the relatively educated masses. Today, majority of the cases that come to the hospital are already in the last stages or at crucial stages, even for those cancers that can easily be treated if detected early. With greater awareness, people will be more serious about screening and monitoring. However, lack of awareness makes life not just difficult for the patient but also for the physicians treating them,” says Dr Indu Bansal, Consultant Oncology, Paras Hospitals, Gurgaon.

Cancer is a group of abnormal cells. They are often referred to as “mad cells”, “wayward cells” or “crazy cells”. The normal cells turn crazy, defy nature’s ways of propagation, and multiply rapidly, altering the normal functioning of the body. If this process goes unchecked, it has the capacity to migrate to any other part of body.

“Cancers like mouth cancer and lung cancer should be detected early and can be prevented by life style modifications; however trends show an exponential rise in the same. Breast Cancer and Cervical cancers are the other two types that can be detected through simple and cost effective tests like an ultrasound/mammography and a PAP Smear, however many women don’t even know the importance of the same,” adds Dr Bansal.

Experts say a bulk of the most common cancers can be prevented by targeting four major risk factors: reducing alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, adopting healthier diets and improving physical activity levels. At the same time, it is also important to protect from UV radiation by wearing sunscreen religiously. Cancer incidence can further be reduced if infections like HBV and HPV associated with liver and cervical cancers respectively are controlled with vaccinations.

According to WHO, five most common sites of cancer in men are lung, prostate, colorectum, stomach, and liver; while in women they are breast, colorectum, lung, cervix, and stomach.

Cancers are caused due to malfunction of the genes that control cell growth resulting in indiscriminate multiplication of the cells in the affected part of the body. However, the genetic abnormalities are mostly a result of mutations that occur in the genes due to a series of environmental factors.

How to Prevent?

According to World Health Organization around one third of cancer deaths occur are due to five leading behavioral and dietary risks:high body mass index, low fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity, tobacco use, alcohol use. Naturally, dealing with these five risk factors can radically reduce the incidence of the disease.

• Eat Healthy: People with greater intake of meat are more susceptible to cancer (though being a vegetarian doesn’t guarantee zero risk). So, even as you relish your non vegetarian delicacies make sure you consume adequate amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Anti-oxidants are believed to reduce risk of cancer and other disease.
• Give Up Bad Habits: It may sound like a cliché, but quitting smoking and excessive drinking can prevent lung and liver cancers to a large degree. Over 1 million people die of tobacco cancer every year. Tobacco is responsible for 50% of all cancers
• Get your Body in Shape: If you are overweight, you have many reasons to worry. Excessive weight not just increases risk of cancer, but also makes you more prone to diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis of the knees. So, get yourself into the right body mass index.
• Exercise: If you are of normal body weight, this doesn’t mean you do not need to exercise. Lack of physical exercise is the reason behind a range of lifestyle diseases including cancer, in both overweight as well as thin people. 

Vaccination & Screening: Vaccination can save two major forms of cancer. Vaccinate yourself against human papilloma virus (HPV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). At the same time get yourself regularly screened for cancer to enable timely detection and treatment in case of a negative outcome.

Warning signals of Cancer: CAUTION US

• C hange in bowel or bladder habits
• A sore that does not heal
• U nusual bleeding or discharge
• T hickening or lump in breast or elsewhere
• I ndigestion or difficulty in swallowing
• O bvious change in wart or mole
• N agging cough or hoarseness of voice
• U nexplained anemia
• S udden and unexplained weight loss or fever

For more information:
Rishi Sinha/Abhinaw Pandey

9911872345/8285204629

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Bust Your Winter Health Myth from Dr. Pratibha Walde

Dr Pratibha Walde, consultant, Internal Medicine, Columbia Asia Hospital, Kharadi, Pune is suggesting you to bust “Winter Health Myths”-

Myth 1) Common cold needs antibiotics: Most people believe that antibiotics are needed to cure cold or flu infections, which are common in winters. This is a fallacy. Antibiotics treat bacteria while common cold or flu is caused by virus. To be honest, medical science is yet to find a cure to fight all types of viruses bar a few. A viral infection is said to be self-limiting i.e. resisted by the body’s own immune system.

In those whose immune system is weak like in uncontrolled diabetics, cancer patients or transplant patient son immunosuppressive medicines, even a minor ailment can become serious due to lack of ability of the body to fight viruses. Antibiotics are prescribed in case of secondary infections, if any. In fact, some people have a habit of popping up antibiotics even without prescription; and overuse of antibiotics leads to antibiotic-resistance. The truth is antibiotics do not treat a common cold or viral fever.
To fight common cold, boost your immune system by maintaining healthy nutrition and hydration.

Myth 2) Sunscreen and Sunglasses are summer accessories: Most people believe that they do not need sun protection in winters because the sun doesn’t seem so harsh in the colder months. But, this is a fallacy. The skin and eyes need as much protection from the sun in winters as they do in summers. In fact, we tend to spend greater amount of time outdoors in winter and logically need greater protection.
The sun sends out radiation of different kinds including Ultra Violet radiation, commonly called UV rays. UV radiations that can cause harm to the skin as well as to the eyes are up as much as in winters as they are in summers. Sunscreen and sunglasses are accessories that help protect against UV radiation. Like UV radiation, these are also not weather specific. Sometimes people going out in the snow need greater eye protection as the sun’s glare also reflects back from the snow.

Myth 3) You Shouldn’t Exercise in Winter: Some people believe exercising in winters will expose them to cold, others give up exercising in winters because they just cannot step out of the blanket. The truth is you need greater movement and exercise in winters to keep your muscles warm and joints active. The winter chill accompanied by a barometric change in atmospheric pressure stiffens the nerves and muscles of the body, resulting in muscular or joint pain in some people. This has to be tackled by keeping your muscles exercised and fitter.

Myth 4) Alcohol Can Warm You Up in Cold: This is a major misconception. Many people believe that drinking alcohol, that makes you feel warm, is a good remedy to cold weather. It is not. It is all the more harmful as it deceives you into thinking that you are warm. Actually, alcohol dilates the blood vessels near the skin, prompting warmer blood to flow to the peripheral areas. The skin becomes warm but the core of the body actually becomes colder. This coupled with the numbing of the senses can make you believe that you do not need much protection from cold. So, the truth is that alcohol just makes you feel warmer; it doesn’t actually warm you up.

Myth 5) Temperature of your eatables can affect your health: It is a common belief that drinking an iced drink in winters will cause cold or flu. But the temperature of whatever you eat, even ice, become warm quickly after you swallow it up. So, essentially the temperature of eatables do not cause cold or cough. Yes, if you are already suffering from a sore throat, the touch of ice can add to the discomfort of your throat. Warmer fluids are easier to swallow and comforting when you are suffering from a sore throat.

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Paras Hospitals holds special OPD for people with back pain

Paras Hospitals, Gurgaon, holds special OPD for people with back pain

In winters when muscles stiffen and physical exercise is limited, instances of stiff backs, neck or joint pain too report a rise

At Paras Hospitals, Gurgaon, a special OPD by spine specialists offered consultation to people experiencing back pain, spine problems and other orthopedic issues

Gurgaon, Dec, 2014:As temperatures drop and winds turn chilly, a number of factors lead to increasing pain and discomfort in the body specially the back, knee and other joints.Paras Hospitals, Gurgaon today organized a special day-long OPD dedicated to people experiencing pain or discomfort in the back and spine. The spine specialists offered free consultation to patients and advised them on protecting their back and ways to keep their muscles and nerves active and flexible in the winters. They are also continuing their initiative and have declared every Wednesday of the week as a Free Consultation day.

The change in weather acts on the body in multiple ways. In lower temperatures the nerve endings in our body become extra sensitive even to minor pain stimuli. Now, the nerve endings are responsible for all sensations, including pain. This is why in winters, even a small scratch or a minor hit gives so much more pain. Another reason is that the cold stiffens the muscles and increases the chances of pain or strain. At a time when our muscles need more physical exercise to warm them up, we tend to become indoor animals, confined in blankets and beds. This further gives us pain in the back and joints in winters. Less exercise leaves your body vulnerable to low back pain.

At the OPD, doctors examined people, sifted the ones with more serious problems from those with minor sprains and aches, and advised them for the course ahead.

“Back pain is becoming very common and affects people of all ages and genders. Some back aches may be due to a single injury or minor injuries occurring over a long period of time, others may be due to muscular tension or sprain. The former should never be ignored as spine injuries can lead to more severe consequences if left unhealed. However, in winters a lot of people experience pain in the back due to muscular stiffness or sprain which needs mild medication and a physical routine as a recourse,” says Dr Arun Bhanot, Chief of Spine Services, Paras Hospitals, Gurgaon

All people who have played sports in some point in their lives know the importance of warm up before launching into aggressive activity. After long hours of inactivity, muscles tend to stiffen and immediately launching rigorous activity may cause a tear or sprain.

“In winters, when the temperatures are low, the need for warming up increases even further. However, people become all the more sedentary and even forego their daily walking and jogging routines. Sometimes, they then suddenly launch into a rigorous action like pulling a piece of furniture, shifting mattresses or indulging in a game after several days of inactivity. Picking up a child from ground while bending is another such activity. These all are responsible for sprains and tears in muscles,” added Dr Arun Bhanot, Chief of Spine Services, Paras Hospitals, Gurgaon.

Measures to Prevent Back Pain due to Changing Weather:

Warm Up Your Muscles: Muscles may get injured when they are suddenly launched into a rigorous activity without a prior notice. Mild exercise and stretching serves as a warm up to the muscles. When the weather is cold, the stiffness and tightness in the muscles increases even further. This is why we should keep moving and exercising in winter rather than seek cover under blankets all the time. Keep your daily workout routine intact. Warm up by stretching and light lifting every day before you begin the day. In fact, a small two-minute stretching program can be undertaken right in the bed before one puts his feet on the ground.

Cover Yourself up Well: Exposure to chilly winds can also exacerbate pain sometimes. Always cover yourself in layers of clothing to keep the body heat from escaping.

Workout Indoors: To prevent exposure to cold, shift your workout routines indoors. If the ground where you walk or run everyday has gotten too cold, shift to a gym or find an indoor space to walk every day. If your office has a long gallery, you can use it as a walking space for 30 minutes every day.

Adopt back strengthening exercises: Lower back muscles are quite vulnerable in winters. It would help if you adopt exercises that strengthen the lower back. Make sure you learn them under expert supervision.

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Essilor offers Crizal Anti Fatigue Lens

Essilor offers Crizal Anti Fatigue Lens

Are Your Eyes Fatigued by Overuse? Essilor offers Crizal Anti Fatigue lens to reduce daily Visual Fatigue in our technology packed world

· Crizal Anti Fatigue lens combines far vision correction with unique features to reduce weariness of the eyes commonly known as Visual Fatigue Syndrome

New Delhi, Nov, 2014: In a technology-laden world dominated by computers and smart devices, our eyes feel the pressure of non-stop usage and continued stress daily. Taking into account the changing needs of the time, leading French lens maker Essilor has offered Crizal Anti Fatigue lens -- a new solution to fight Visual Fatigue -- a common side-effect of constant eye usage.

According to different researches and estimates, average time spent in front of the computers has increased by 65 per cent over the past five years. At the same time, we spend three hours in front of television sets on an average every day. Add to it the rapid growth of tablet PCs and Smartphones, and there is reason to believe that visual stress on our eyes is only increasing by the day.

We also spend 80 per cent of our time indoors surrounded by harmful artificial light and air conditioning. All this makes it clear that the eyes have developed new needs.

Tired and weary eyes, headaches, blurred vision, itching and burning are symptoms that more and more people are reporting every day.

So, how can we make sure that we continue to absorb the benefits of advanced technology and devices while making them easy on the eyes? Researchers at Essilor spent considerable time at this question and devices a technologically advanced solution to the problem of growing visual stress and fatigue.

Crizal Anti Fatigue lens combines far vision correction and unique features to reduce visual fatigue and is ideal for people in the age bracket of 35-45 years as well as for eyeglass wearers.

Crizal Anti Fatigue is a patented design advanced single vision lens, designed specially to relieve the symptoms of visual fatigue. The lenses support the wearer’s accommodation efforts with an additional plus power at near vision (+0.60 D) and an instant adaptation. This provides a greater level of comfort for the wearer as the natural accommodation pattern is retained.

“The needs of the eyes today are not the same as they were 10 years back. Today, there is no escape from computer screens and smart devices; most of us are on the systems for hours at a stretch. Even after work hours, our eyes continue to feel the stress as we surf through Internet on I pads, watch TV and use smartphones. Most of us are glued to our devices even as we are on the road travelling from work to home and vice versa. These changed circumstances need extra care to reduce Visual Fatigue on the eye. Crizal Anti-Fatigue are visual lenses that reduce visual fatigue by 50 per cent. The lens not only corrects ametropia, but also allows the wearer to enjoy the day from beginning to end amidst all activities,” says says Mr. Shivkumar J, CEO Essilor India.

Visual Fatigue is actually caused by focusing on objects one to three feet away for extended periods of time. This is why staring at computer screens, reading material, and even cell phones can lead to Visual Fatigue Syndrome.

Essilor Anti-Fatigue lenses are intended as a primary-pair replacement for patients’ single-vision lenses. Essilor Anti-Fatigue lenses feature a special “Power Boost” area in the lower portion of the lens, to give the wearer’s eyes greater clarity and comfort when focusing up-close for extended periods. This accommodative relief in the near vision provides wearers with greater comfort than standard vision correction.

If you are one of those people whose eyes seldom find rest throughout the action-packed day, you need to add the comfort and protection of Crizal Anti-Fatigue to your daily life. Meant to replace single vision glasses for greater comfort, Crizal Anti Fatigue is a unique lens that combines distance correction with three specific features – specific design geometry, filter and coating – to support accommodation efforts and increase comfort.

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Brace Up to Fight Seasonal Allergies

Brace Up To Fight Seasonal Allergies

Do you face allergic symptoms just in certain seasons or all-round the year? As winter approaches, those with allergies have a spurt of symptoms and need to take some preventive measures, writes Dr. Gurpreet Singh Dang, General Physician, Columbia Asia Hospital-Patiala.

Winter allergies can leave you sick, with either running or a blocked nose or sore throat.Itchy and red eyes, sniffling and sneezing may also occur. Common triggers of allergies are mould, house dust mites, animal dander and perfumes are some common allergens. During the cold season, your resistance and immunity levels are low. Pet dander, smoke, gas fumes, dust mites, winter cold can make your nose watery and eyes itchy. Cold is a seasonal affair, but allergies can persist for a longer period of time.

Weather irritants like pet dander, mildew and mold are present in the air throughout the year, but the reason they become active in winters is because people shut all the windows with room heaters and temperature controllers switched on to avoid cold. However, the warm atmosphere becomes a perfect environment for mould and mites to breed.The reactions of these allergens can be controlled only if you understand what stimulates these triggers. The indoor triggers that are the root cause of all the uneasiness are:

Mold Spores: Asthma gets aggravated when the patient inhales mold spores that are always present in the environment but stay unnoticed. These spores float in the air like pollen and can cause additional problems compared to pollen irritants. This fungus dwells in damp and humid places like bathrooms and basements.

Dust Mites: Dust Mites are present even in the homes that appear clean. House dust’s allergenic components trigger the problem of watery eyes, stuffy nose, and sneezing strokes. They are present in pillows, mattresses, upholstery, curtains and carpets.

Pet Dander: It’s not pet’s fur that causes allergy in winters, instead the trigger is the protein present in animal’s saliva and urine. Pet dander is light and can easily stick to your clothes, shoes and hair.

You can avoid winter allergies by identifying the trigger. We often dodge symptoms of coughing, stuffed and runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, sneezing and even the dark circles under eyes as normal effects of winter. One should consult a doctor if the symptoms last for more than a week.

Some preventive measures are always good to be taken:

Ventilate your house: As winter sets, we tend to snuggle close to our blankets, mattresses, soft toys, pillows and stacked woolen clothes which are the actual source of dust mites. We keep windows and doors closed with heaters on to protect from the freezing weather outside. As a result homes get no sunlight and encourages growth of the moulds. Winter worsens eczema which is often attributed to dust allergens. Let the sunlight in!

Prepare an action plan: Regular vacuuming of curtains and carpets, hanging out blankets and sweater in the sun at least once a week are some simple precautions. Ornamental plants can be a source of allergy. Replacing them with the artificial ones can help prevent allergy.Removing carpets altogether is a good way of minimizing allergies. Get room heaters and air conditioning units cleaned regularly.

Stay cautious: Avoiding smoking and use of agarbattis. Maintain a minimum humidity level inside the house with the humidifier and dehumidifier to prevent growth of dust mites.

Scan your house: You should continuously keep a check on surroundings of the house and clean up the places you think can lead to mold breeding. You should clean the basement and rid your home of unwanted material as they can gather dust.

Don't ignore allergies. Consult a doctor, who may advise you to be on medicines, nasal sprays and inhalers during the winter.

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Winter Exacerbates Pneumonia Threat

Winter Exacerbates Pneumonia Threat
On World Pneumonia Day, focus on Precautions and Care

Pneumonia is one of the most common infections of the lungs affecting mostly the very young or old, who typically have a weak immune system, making them more vulnerable to infections. In fact, Pneumonia is the leading cause of death in infants and children worldwide, claiming a whopping 1.1 million lives under the age of five years every year, according to World Health Organization. A large number of the elderly, especially those who have a chronic lung disease or those who have immune deficiency diseases like AIDS, Lupus or Arthritis, also fall prey to respiratory infection.

While the threat of pneumonia is persistent in all vulnerable people throughout the year, in winters the risk goes up because of several reasons. This is why, we need to take extra precautions in winter against pneumonia.

Pneumonia leads to inflammation of one or both lungs due to infection, making breathing difficult. Our lungs are made up of small sacs which fill with air when one breathes. Pneumonia infection causes these air sacs to be filled with pus and fluid, making breathing painful and restricting the intake of oxygen inside the body.

“Many types of organisms can cause pneumonia, but in elders, most are viruses or bacteria. The body’s immune system is best placed to fight the onslaught of these micro-organisms. In young children in whom the immune system is not completely developed, the threat of pneumonia is high. Similar is the case with the elderly. As we age, our immune system gradually loses its strength”, says Dr. Ashish Sharma, Internal Medicine, Columbia Asia Hospital – Ghaziabad.

In winters, the incidence of pneumonia rises due to several reasons:

• Other infections like influenza and other viral infections are more common in winters. A viral infection can weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of contracting pneumonia.
• Fog often combines with traffic smoke in winters to give rise to a layer of smog. This makes lung infections and respiratory ailments more pronounced, further making a person susceptible to pneumonia. 
• The woolens we wear harbor molds and this can be a source of allergy and aggravation of conditions leading to pneumonia  
• In cold weather, people tend to keep indoors with doors, windows and all sources of ventilation shut coupled with the use of heating facilities. Lack of air circulation can lead to increased susceptibility to respiratory disease in the elderly.

How to minimize risks:

Simple precautions and basic hygiene can markedly reduce the risk of respiratory infections including pneumonia.

• Boost Immunity:Strengthening the body’s immune system is one of the most important thing to do. Eat vitamin and anti-oxidant rich food that equips the body against diseases. Make fruits and vegetables a part of daily life to boost your immune system. Exercise regularly and adopt practices like yoga or meditation. If necessary take vitamin c supplements for strengthening the immunity and preventing flu like infections.
• Get yourself vaccinated: Vaccination is helpful in preventing several strains of pneumococcus bacteria. At least 20 most dangerous strains from among the 80 pneumococcus bacteria are covered by immunization. Simultaneously, since influenza in a number of cases leads to pneumonia, it is also advisable to get flu vaccination every winter. Children below 2 years of age, and elderly above 65 are specially advised immunization. 
• Keep it hygienic: Do not show laxity in keeping up yourself, your home and your accessories hygienic and germ free. Make sure you wash your hands every time you enter the house or every time you shake hands with someone. Make sure your blankets, bedding and woolens are clean and regularly aired. 
• Allow Ventilation:Aerate your home, open the windows and let some fresh air, however cool, come in with sun’s rays to keep the air dry and clean and prevent respiratory problems.

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Osteoporosis afflicts a large number of women in India: Are you leading a bone-friendly life?

Osteoporosis afflicts a large number of women in India: Are you leading a bone-friendly life?

• Osteoporosis or the thinning of bones is rampant in Indian women causing fractures and bone deformities
• The brittle bone syndrome can be prevented if right measures are taken at the right time

Ghaziabad, October, 2014: Osteoporosis is a major ailment that makes old age difficult and risky. The extreme depletion of the bones leaves the afflicted extremely prone to sudden fractures and injury. However, despite it being a very common health issue in India, little is done to spread awareness about preventing the brittle bone syndrome.


It is common to come across the elderly suffering from fractures after a minor fall or just a random bending of the arm. Sometimes, the bones grow so porous that even a seemingly minoractivity like stretching the body to pull the curtain can result in a fracture.


Human body, by design, follows a projectile path, first growing and strengthening with youth, then weakening due to age-related degeneration. As we age, so do our bones. While the process of ageing cannot be stopped, the excessive depletion of the bones can be prevented by adopting a bone friendly diet and healthy lifestyle in the early stages of life.

Dr Rajesh Verma, Consultant, Joint Replacement Surgery, Columbia Asia Hospital, Ghaziabad says osteoporosis is more common in women than in men Indian women are prone to this problem due to poor nutritional status and lack of awareness about the right kind of diet.


While the depletion of bone minerals is a normal part of ageing and cannot be stopped, its extent can be minimized by taking a few precautions throughout life.


“By the age of 30, our bones reach their maximum level of density. After this age, the bones start losing calcium and other minerals. The rate of bone loss becomes higher than the rate of bone regeneration. Being a progressive process, the bone loss continues throughout life. By the time we reach our 60s, the bone density becomes very low, leaving the bones very weak and fragile,” says Dr Verma.


This bone loss happens in both men and women, but it increases in women after menopause.


“Women who are on steroids due to a medical requirement are at the risk of developing osteoporosis early, as steroids lead to demineralization of bones – or depletion of the bone minerals -- making them porous. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. If one or both of your parents had osteoporosis, you need to be doubly cautious about preventing it. Hormonal changes after menopause are another factor that increases the rate of bone depletion in women at middle age,” adds Dr Verma.


With women of today leading heavily unhealthy lifestyles, including an absence of physical activity, no exposure to the sun, highly unfriendly diet and increasing dependence on smoking and drinking, the brittle bone syndrome is affecting them at younger ages.


Since osteoporosis is a progressive syndrome that takes years, its effects show up when we are old. There are also no symptoms to identify that you are suffering from osteoporosis until a bone fracture actually occurs. In fact, osteoporosis will have started in human body without any warning signs for years, making any remedial measures impossible to take.


It may be an inevitable consequence of ageing, yet osteoporosis can be prevented if careful measures are taken from the initial years of life. With the right type of nutrition, bone strengthening exercises and some lifestyle modifications, the bones can be kept healthy.


Here is what we can do:

• Be aware and start taking care of your body when you are still young. Get a bone density test done once in a while to check how strong your bones are and if you need any medical intervention
• Include adequate amount of calcium in your diet. Drink milk, consume yoghurt, cheese, cereals and nuts like almonds. Consult your doctor and take calcium supplements, especially after pregnancy or a major illness.
• Make sure you get enough vitamin D for your bones. Even if you are scared of turning a shade darker, do spend 15 minutes out in the sun at least thrice a week. Indians are found highly deficient in vitamin D, which is an irony in a tropical country.
• Exercise regularly to keep the bones and muscles healthy. Adopt weight bearing exercises to strengthen the bones, walk and jog every day.
• Avoid smoking. Excessive smoking is not good for any part of the body including bones. The process of healing is believed to be slow in people who smoke.

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Don’t Ignore Oral Hygiene, Ignore 10 Mistakes!

Oral hygiene is as important as any other daily activity of living. But it is one thing not taken very seriously, as in most of the instances people are okay with brushing their teeth only once a day. Flossing is something that that doesn’t even ring a bell to many. Due to little knowledge, people often end up compromising with their oral health. So, knowing just simple what “not-to-do things” can help keep oral health in good shape.

“As brushing is important for keeping teeth in shape, likewise tongue cleaning is important for ensuring proper oral health. Even if simple things are kept in mind, and a few things are avoided, it can help maintain healthy oral state. But people do not take proper care, mainly because of lack of awareness,” says Dr Inderpreet Kaur, Axiss Dental.

• Two-minute brushing: Avoid too much brushing as it will not lead to whiter teeth, but only steal your enamel away. Losing enamel layer is the first step to tooth decay. So play cautious. Brushing for two minutes is more than enough. 

• Stick to twice a day brushing routine: Do not become content with one time brushing in the morning. Make a habit of brushing teeth before going to sleep too. If not done, the food particles stay lodged in teeth for whole night, letting acids play havoc with teeth. 

 Brush properly: Brushing should be a wholesome exercise, involving inner, outer and the chewing surface. Only brushing the outer layer is a very wrong approach as food particles can get stuck anywhere and when not removed will result in plaque.

• Do not avoid tongue cleaning: Tongue is another area in the mouth that should not be ignored. After brushing and rinsing the mouth, tongue cleaning should be the very next thing to do. If you don’t, you invite bacteria to breed here.
• Make flossing a habit: Do not avoid flossing your teeth as food particles which get stuck in between the teeth is hard to be removed with toothbrush. So floss teeth at least once a day, though doing so twice is always better.
• Brush after a gap of having meal: Some eatables are good at producing acids. Brushing immediately after consuming those food items put teeth at the risk of abrasion. So brushing should always be done after a gap of consuming food.
• Say no to hard-bristled toothbrush: Always choose your toothbrush with caution. A hard-bristled toothbrush will not only damage your precious enamel layer, but also hurt the gums. So spend your money and a little time on buying a right toothbrush.
• Take care of your toothbrush too: Never keep your toothbrush and tongue cleaner at an unclean place as it may be an invitation to harmful bacteria. Always, rinse your toothbrush before and after brushing and let it dry.
• Rinse mouth after eating: Not rinsing mouth after meals allows food particles to stay for a longer duration and produce acids which are disastrous for your teeth. Acid is the culprit which erodes your enamel and makes way for cavities.
• See a dentist twice a year: Avoiding a dentist is just about not being serious about your oral health. Normally, you should see a dentist every six months. A visit to the dentist could help you fight plaque, which doesn’t get removed with mere brushing. Also, any oral health problem, including tooth decay and gum diseases, also come to light in initial stages if dentist is visited regularly.

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Top Causes and Preventive Measures for Kidney Disease

Top Causes and Preventive Measures for Kidney Disease

Now a days there are many people suffering from kidney disease across the globe. And the ever increasing statistics remind us that we need to educate ourselves and take precautions to avoid the disease. Let us look at some of the top most reasons that lead to kidney disease.

1. People who consume more salt, beverages containing sugar, soft drinks and soda are also likely to acquire kidney disease.

2. Those people who smoke have great chances of kidney disease.

3. People who have additional body weight, than what is normal (obese) also have greater chances of kidney disease.

4. There are people who acquire kidney disease because of hereditary factors.

5. People who do not lead a healthy life style and have irregular and bad diet habits have a greater risk of acquiring kidney disease.

Well if these are the causes that lead to development of kidney disease, what are the ways to avoid? Let us check them out.

1. If any of the family members are diagnosed with kidney disease especially parents then it is always best to get a checkup done to know if you also have the problem.

2. Processed foods lead to kidney damage so it is best to avoid them.

3. Avoid taking soda, sweetened beverages and soft drinks as they cause high damage to kidney.

4. Make sure that your sodium (salt) consumption is limited to minimum that is required for the body.

5. Make sure that your sugar intake is limited and minimum.

Well prevention is always better than cure. So, if by making some healthy choices and replacements in the consumption of food and beverages. And opting of a healthy life style you can avoid kidney disease, nothing great than that. So, switch to healthy life style, and keep yourself away from kidney disease.

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Do You Know Teasing Effects Children Health?

Do You Know Teasing Effects Children Health?

To tease others and to get teased is a part of children’s life. It is funny and light as long as it is in limits, but when it crosses boarders and becomes excess, it needs to be taken care of.

Recent research shows that teasing has a severe effect on children’s health in long term. A child who gets teased for a long term has to face health problems in long term. The longer he is teased the longer the health problems will be. Let us look at the effects of teasing.

1. Those children who had to face severe teasing find it difficult to indulge in physical activities.

2. The child who is teased frequently becomes depressed and his confidence levels decrease.

3. There will be a decrease in the physical and mental health of the child who under goes teasing.

4. Those children who are never teased have better health.

5. If children undergo teasing at some point of time and are now free from it then it is ok. But if it is a continuous process then it has severe effects on the child.

So, if it comes to your notice that your child is teasing others or that he is getting teased by someone else, it’s time to take action. The earlier you stop it the better it will be for the child. So, never make the mistake of ignoring this aspect in your child.

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Do You Know if Your Teen is Mentally ill?

Many parents find it difficult to handle teenagers. This is the time when they go through hormonal changes; their emotional life is never balanced. They are exposed to new things in life and as they do not have experience and knowledge of the world, there are great chances that they go in the wrong way.

Especially if they are not attached to the family and don’t share a bond with them. If parents do not give them time in this age, talk to them with love and guide them. Many of them get attached to friends or outside people who show them a little bit of love and give them little attention.

If a teenager does not get love, support and guidance from parents in this age then there are great chances that he or she may turn out to be addicts not knowing what to do and how to handle things in life. So, parents need to understand them, know them well and offer guidance and love.

But how do you know if your teenage son or daughter is in need of psychological assistance or treatment? Well, look for these symptoms.

1. Is he able to maintain good relations with his friends and are there any changes in his behavior towards teachers and friends?

2. Do you find any severe and sudden changes in the behavior that is quiet unusual?

3. Is he able to do well in studies? Or there is decline in his performance.

4. Are there any changes in his eating habits like not eating properly, avoiding food, not showing interest towards himself, like the way he dresses, and aspects that relate to personal hygiene?

5. Do you find that there is a constant change in his / her moods? At one time cool and understanding, at other times violent and angry.

6. Is he taking any tablets or drugs, or is he taking alcohol or has started smoking?

If you find that your teenage son or daughters have these symptoms then it is time that you give them counseling and take care of their psychological health.

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Fruit Juices are good for Health?

Are You One among Those People Who Think Fruit Juices are good for Health? Then, Check this Out

Well, most of us are aware that consumption of soft drinks, carbonated beverages, is not good for health and many of us instead opt for fruit juices. But are fruit juices healthy? Yes, time has come to know the hard facts behind consumption of fruit juices.

Yes, drinking fruit juices is as damaging to health as consuming soft drinks and colas. Why? Because, the sugar content in the fruit juice, is equal to the sugar content of any other sweetened beverage or drink and high sugar intake is not at all good for health.

People are under the misconception that fruit juices are an alternative for sweetened beverages, but it is not so. Research also reveals the shocking fact that energy levels and sugar content are the same, when fruit juice and other sweetened beverages are compared and sugar content is more in fruit juice than in fruit.

It is best to take a fresh fruit instead of juice from health point of view and another shocking revelation that has come into light is that. High intake of fruit juices increases the risk of diabetes. Majority of the people are not aware of these facts think that consuming fruit juices is good for health.

Many parents even give their children fruit juices thinking that it will improve and keep them healthy. But it is not at all advisable to give or to drink fruit juices; this applies equally to all and even more to children. So, always opt to eat fresh fruits instead of drinking fruit juices.

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Top 12 Health Tips for Rainy Season

As there are do’s and don’ts for any season, there are also some health precautions that you have to take in rainy season. Because in rainy season our body under goes some changes like lower immunity, lower digestive power and decrease in body strength.

As far as possible one should avoid oily foods, heavy foods that are hard to digest and foods that are frozen. Instead of these foods it is preferable to take food that are easily digestible. Apart from these there are some other tips that will help us stay healthy during the rainy season let us look at them.

1. It is best to take bath with hot water instead of cold water during the rainy season.

2. It is always best to wear slippers at home during the rainy season.

3. As far as possible avoid eating outside food.

4. Wash your hands frequently with hand wash, and as far as possible when your hands are not clean do not touch your face.
5. It is best to wear full dress that covers the body entirely during the rainy season.

6. It will be more beneficial if we drink warm water during the rainy season, instead of normal water.

7. We should make sure that there is enough physical activity if it is not there you should exercise regularly.

8. Avoid drinking water that is not filtered and also avoid coming in direct contact with dirty water.

9. If by any chance you get wet in the rain make sure that you dry yourself at the earliest possible, even if your hair gets wet instead of leaving it like that dry it immediately.

10. Make sure that you maintain a minimum of two to three hours gap between having food and going to bed. In other words do not sleep immediately as soon as you have your food. Involve yourself in some activity.

11. Instead of drinking normal tea, add some ginger to it and have it. This will help you to keep away cold that is quite common in rainy season.

12. Keep mosquitoes and flies away from your home or another place. Make sure that the house or office is clean and use mosquito and insect repellents.

Well prevention is always better than cure, so, try to follow these simple and healthy tips to stay fit and active and what else, enjoy the beauties of rainy season.

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Top 10 Benefits of Dreams

Every one has different opinion about dreams, even those working on dreams and trying to know about it could not come to a definite conclusion as to why dreams occur. Many feel that it is just a mental projection of images and emotions and some feel that they have a meaning and show us what we are.

Well, if we keep aside these differences, there are many benefits of dreams in health point of view, let us look at them.

1. According to a research dreams help in coping up with stress.

2. Dreams help in conflict resolution, in fact many people have experienced that they have come up with solutions to problems, through dreams.

3. Dreams help in regulating our moods and make it better.



4. According to a research dreams help in coping up with and reduce depression.

5. Dreams help in improving memory and helps to be more creative.

6. Dreams help in understanding ourselves better and assists in the process of development.

7. Dreams help in healing emotional and psychological wounds and helps us to come out of them.

8. Many people have dreams that come true in life. So, in those cases dreams act as a guide in life.

9. To some people dreams act as a training ground while for some other people dreams reveal their past life experiences.

10. Dreams recharge us and empower us and above all it is fun to experience dreams, unless they are night mares ok.

Well, to conclude dreams are dreams and whether we experience bad or good they are not real. There are many definitions set by different people as to how to interpret dreams and what do they mean. But, in reality though dreams may be common to people but their interpretation is totally personal, so depending on theories and books may not help us.

Instead if we do a self analysis as to how they relate to us, or actually is there anything that they convey to us is what we have to learn personally. It is not also necessary that every dream has a meaning and it conveys something. So, you are your own judge in matter of dreams. If there is anything to learn from them and to get benefited from them we better do so, otherwise just keep having fun.

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Top Benefits of Green Tea

In the past few years number of people around the world have started consuming green tea. This is because of the many health benefits that it offers.

It is quite amazing to know what green tea can do to make ones health better. Let us look at the health benefits of consuming green tea on a regular basis.

Here are the benefits:

1. Green tea burns fat and increases metabolism rate naturally.

2. Green tea helps in burning out 70 calories in just a day.

3. Green tea helps in reducing the risk of cancer.

4. Green tea acts as an anti-ageing agent, as it contains an antioxidant known as polyphenols.

5. Green tea helps in fighting skin cancer.

6. Green tea reduces cholesterol and helps in preventing heart disease.

7. Green tea helps in preventing and reducing the risk of rheumatoid arthritis

8. Green tea helps in keeping the bones strong by preserving bone density.

9. Green tea helps in reducing bad cholesterol levels.

10. Green tea helps in boosting memory.

11. Green tea helps in preventing high BP.

12. Green tea helps in lowering blood sugar levels.

13. Green tea increases the immune system.

14. Green tea helps in preventing and treating cold.

15. Green tea is very good at destroying bacteria and viruses that are the root for many dental diseases.

16. Green tea helps in relieving stress, anxiety and allergies.

So, what are you waiting for just go and grab your cup of health (green tea).

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Top 10 Tips to Reduce Stress

In our modern life there is one thing that is common with every one, let it be working person, or home maker, student, professional or any one and that is stress. Causes and reasons may differ but the end result coming out of stress is same.

As tides are a common feature of sea, so is stress in our life, as long as we try to avoid and take it out of our life, we only increase it more. In such case the best thing we can do about it is to try to find out the root cause and take corrective action to rectify and reduce the problem.

Below listed are some ways to reduce stress in our life.

1. First find out which area of your life you are experiencing stress? Professional or personal.

2. Then go in-depth and look for the people or situations that you think are causing situations where you feel stressed.

3. Try to look at the situation form the point of view of third person. This way you will be able to arrive at a correct conclusion.


4. Then look for the solutions that will help to reduce stress and come out of that situation.

5. Avoid bringing up the topics that lead to argument or stress, if the other person raises such topics excuse yourself from that person and place.

6. It is not possible to do all the things at all the times, so try to reduce your work load, giving priority to the things that you must do and postponing the things you can later on do.

7. Having someone to confide and to share your hearts feelings is a great way of reducing stress so have a friend like that.

8. It is a proven fact from ages that no person on the earth or situation will change for you. People will be what they have been so it would be foolish and waste of time to think about them as to why they are so, instead a wise way out is to try to change yourself and carry on with life.

9. Take some time out regularly for your own self and do the thing that makes you feel better, relaxed and gives you positive vibes.

10. Take a balanced and nutritious diet. Make exercise a part of your life, avoid taking coffee, cool drinks, alcohol or sleeping pills, because these give temporary relief but do more harm in long run.

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Top 5 Myths Associated with Stress

Many of us think that we know about stress, but the many of the facts, that we think, we know, are myths about stress. But is it really necessary for us to clear the myths? Yes, because knowing the myths associated with stress helps us to deal with it in a beneficial and positive way and helps us to lead a happy and disease free life.

So, let us look at the some of the common myths associated with stress.

1. It is a common myth among people that stress is unavoidable and you cannot do anything about it. But with proper analysis and thinking it is possible to handle stress.

2. As many people think, stress is not bad in each and every situation. For those people who know the ways of handle it stress makes them productive. Like a bats man under stress, if he knows how to handle it, will do more runs than what he does under normal conditions. So, it is a myth that stress is always and under all conditions bad.

3. Many people think that stress reductions techniques are the same for everyone, but it is a myth. A technique that has helped you to reduce your stress levels may be the cause of causing stress to me. So there are no universal techniques, they have to be tailored according to individual needs.

4. Most of the people think that stress is same for everyone but it is not so, because each individuals response to stress is different.

5. Many people live under the false impression that if they don’t find any physical symptoms associated with stress, they don’t have it. But the truth is only when stress exceeds its levels does it express itself in the form of physical illness or disease.

So, cut off any myths and illusions about stress. Know the facts and realities and live a happy and peaceful life.

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Sun Stroke / Heat Wave: Preventive Measures

With the reduction in greenery and increasing concrete jungles every year the temperatures in the summer are increasing at an alarming rate. When temperatures are constantly 40 degree Celsius and above, for a number of days or weeks, it is called, heat wave.

There is an increase in the number of the people who are getting hospitalized because of heat stroke. Children, people who are old, patients and people who have excessive weight are the people who will be affected first by excessive heat. Also those people who work in heat or exposed to heat are likely to be effected by it.

When people constantly work under sun for a prolonged period of time there is a possibility of excessive loss of fluids from the body in the form of sweat. This result in increase in the body temperatures, which if untreated can result in heat stroke. When a person’s temperature control system in the body stops working this results in increasing body temperatures which may ultimately lead to either brain damage or death. What needs to be done in this situation is to cool down the body and bring drown the temperature to normal.

Some measures that you can take to fight this kind of excessive and damaging heat are.

1. Make sure that you have sufficient liquid intake, especially water.
2. Many people consume carbonated beverages and beverages containing caffeine thinking that it will reduce thirst but these beverages actually dehydrate. So stay away from them if possible.
3. Drink lot of water, as this will replenish lost body fluids.
4. Apart from drinking water, take electrolytes, coconut water and fruit juices. Fruits containing water such as water melon also can be taken.
5. Many people drink Ice cold water; this is not good, refrigerated water can be taken but not too cold.
6. Take balanced and light meals preferably fresh fruits vegetables and salads that are cold.

Extreme weakness, nausea Dizziness, confusion, thirst, headache, vomiting, fainting, rapid pulse or breathing, unconsciousness are the symptoms of Heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Check for these symptoms in case of illness and take immediate medical care.

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Women need to make life long investment in bones to prevent osteoporosis

New Delhi, April, 2014: Osteoporosis is a disorder characterized by depleted bones that make you more prone to fractures and injuries. It is also a characteristic that runs parallel to a person’s age and inflicts more women than men. This is why women need to invest in bone health from early on in their lives.

The process called ageing brings in its wake a series of changes in the body. As we grow wiser, we also realize that our body that was once at our command will not be so all our lives. As muscles weaken, eyes give in, hair turns grey and skin loses its sheen, you know they are telling you that they have withered a lot. So are your bones. Bone mass or density is lost as we age. This happens in both men and women but it especially aggravates in women after menopause.

“As a part of ageing processes both men and women lose their bone density by 0.3% to 0.5% after the age of 35 yrs. In women estrogen (a hormone) is important in maintaining bone density. When estrogen levels drop after menopause, the loss of bone density accelerates. Deficiency of calcium and vitamin D can aggravate osteoporosis, though it is not the main and only cause,” says Dr Rajeev K Sharma, leading Orthopedic Specialist and Joint Replacement Surgeon at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi.

The bones lose calcium, vitamin D and other minerals and start losing their density. In extreme cases they become abnormally porous and fragile and extremely susceptible to fractures. This extreme condition is often described as Osteoporosis and can become a dangerous part of the lives of many an elderly. This is why we hear about so many hip, knee and shoulder fractures in older people. It is hence important to understand the way the condition works and aggravates.

According to estimates, as many as 25 million Indians are likely affected by osteoporosis. In fact, in India osteoporotic fractures may be occurring at a younger age than in the West. Recent research and studies have pointed out to the widespread vitamin D deficiency across India. The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is a major factor in the poor bone health of Indians. Poor sunlight exposure and a vitamin D-deficient diet are some obvious causes.

“The bad news is that osteoporosis will be present in human body without any symptoms for decades and it doesn't cause symptoms until the bones start fracturing. Moreover, some osteoporotic fractures may escape detection for years when they do not cause symptoms. Hence, the patients may not be aware of their osteoporosis problem until they suffer a painful fracture. Depending on the location of fracture the symptoms differ but the usual symptom is pain and disability,” says Dr Sharma.

During the first five to 10 years after menopause, women can suffer up to 2%-4% loss of bone density per year! This can result in the loss of up to 25%-30% of their bone density during that time. Accelerated bone loss after menopause is a major cause of osteoporosis in women. Hormone replacement therapy post-menopause prevents this loss, but is of no major help once the window period of six years post-menopause is over.

Risk factors

· Cigarette smoking

· Alcohol consumption.

· Poor nutrition and a diet low on calcium and vitamin D

· Low estrogen levels

· Chemotherapy that can cause early menopause due to its toxic effects on the ovaries.

· Loss of menstrual period in young women (Amenorrhea) and it can occur in women who undergo extremely vigorous exercise training or with very low body fat, e.g, women with anorexia nervosa.

· Rheumatoid arthritis or liver diseases

· Immobility, such as after a stroke or from any condition that interferes with walking.

· Hyperthyroidis or the problem of excessive sweating

· Long-term use of anti-seizure medications and long-term use of oral steroids.

Prevention

The age old adage that prevention is better than cure holds 100 per cent in the case of osteoporosis. In fact, the only way to prevent osteoporosis is to start working with your bones when they are still young. Do not let bone loss to set in early by faulty practices.

· Eat calcium rich diet

· Ensure adequate exposure to the sun for vitamin D

· Get a routine bone density check-up after the age of 35

· Exercise to strengthen the bone

· Quit smoking and alcohol

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